Elliptic spring.



PATENTED. JAN. 20, 1 903.

11, SHEA. ELLIPTIG SPRING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1901.

10 MODEB.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ALEXANDER SHEA, OF OSlVEGO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE B. SLOAN, JR, OF OSWVEGO, NEW YORK.

ELLIPTIC SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,734., dated January 20, 1903.

Application filed July 29,1901. Serial No. 70,010. (No model.)

To cal/Z whom, it may concern: the reference-numerals of the specification Be it known that I, THOMAS ALEXANDER indicate the same parts in all the figures. SHEA, of Oswego, in the countyof Oswego, in Figure I is a side elevation of an elliptic the State of New York, have invented new spring provided with my end connections, of and useful Improvementsin Elliptic Springs, which one is shown in section. Fig. II is a of which the following, taken in connection top plan view of a double-elliptic spring so with the accompanying drawings, is a full, supported. Fig. III is an isometric View of clear, and exact description. one of my peculiar end plates. Fig. IV My invention relates to elliptic springs; shows an end plate for a triplicate spring.

10 and it consists in providing an end plate or In the figures, l 1 indicate the main leaves, end connection arranged between the upper 2 2 the second leaves, and 3 3 the shorter and lower halves of the spring, forming a leaves, of elliptic springs held in position by convenient mode of connection, so that the the band 4. My peculiar end plates or end springs are easily assembled and disassemconnections (indicated by 5) are similarly I5 bled, the weakening of the main plates adformed above and below with beds 6 6, arjacent to their points of connection is overranged between the center flange 7 and the come, and the risk of breaking lessened. respective side flange 8, receiving and sup- Heretofore the upper and lower halves of porting the end of the semi-elliptic-that is, elliptic springs have commonly been formed the end of the mainleaf, which is drilled at 9 20 with scrolls or eyes at their ends connected to fit studs 10 10, by which the end plates are by a pin with a curve or neck in the main held in position between the halves of the leaves adjacent to the scroll. This neck was spring. These studs may be hollowed in a weak point, and the main leaf could not their ends to diminish the weight and amount there be reinforced, because if the second of stock, and for the same purpose the cen- 25 leaf or leaves were elongated for that purter flange may be channeled and the outer pose they would slide on the main leaf when flanges curved or beveled on their outer edges. used and strike the projecting eye. In my My end plates are adapted for the conneospring the ends of the halves are connected tion of the halves of any number of elliptic by these peculiar end plates, which retain the springsdouble elliptics, as shown in Figs. I,

30 springs in proper relative position, their cen- II, and III, and a triplicate, as shown in Fig. ter and side flanges confine the ends in aline- IV. These end connections are economical ment, preventing them from twisting out of and simple to cast or otherwise construct from true, and the plates themselves move easily as steel or iron and adapted to be used with ellipthe springs are elongated or contracted by tic springs for supporting the heaviest loads.

35 changes in load and afford a bed for the ends of Malleable iron is a suitable material. The secthe halves. With no load or with light load ond leaves 2 2 may be elongated, as shown in the weightis supported on the extreme ends of the figures, adjacent to the studs to reinforce the springs, promoting easy running, and as the main leaves, entirely doing away with the the load increases the springs are compressed weak point or neck of the prior scroll ellip- 40 and shortened on the bed, thereby increasing tics. If for any reason a leaf breaks, it is the capacity and resistance in proportion to easy to take the springs apart and substitute the load, meeting the present needs of heavy a new leaf, whereas in the old scroll-spring a cars, locomotives, tenders, 850., supported on special machine was necessary to make the large elliptic springs. The spring must be scroll. Therefore it was easier and cheaper 45 adapted to support a heavy load; but when in case of a break to throw away the whole the car is light it must be adapted to give spring. easy running, that the car may not shake and The operation of the spring under light and rack itself. heavy load is indicated in Fig. I. The full My invention will be understood by referlines show the weight supported on the ex- 50 ence to the accompanying drawings, in which treme ends of the main leaf with the light load, giving easy running. The dotted lines show the result with heavy load, when the springs shorten on the bed, giving greater capacity.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an elliptic spring, the combination with the upper and lower halves, of end plates arranged near the ends of said halves at each end, said end plates being formed above and below with beds on which bear the ends of the main leaves, with integral side flanges extending above and below on each side of said leaves, and with integral studs fitting perforations adjacent to the ends of the main leaves.

2. In combination with a series of elliptic springs, of end plates arranged between the ends of the upper series and of the lower series of longitudinal, bearing-beds, the respective beds being of sufficient width to receive freely the ends of the springs, of integral side flanges extending above and below on the ends of the end plates adjacent to the outer edges of the main leaves, of integral center flanges extending above and below between the adjacent edges of the main leaves, and of integral studs extending above and below adjacent to the outer edges of the end plates adapted to fit corresponding perforations in the ends of the main leaves.

3. In an elliptic spring, the combination of upper and lower halves composed each of a main leaf and a series of superimposed leaves, of end plates arranged between the ends of the main leaves, said plates being formed with beds above and below to receive the ends of the main leaves, with studs near their outer edges extending above and below fitting perforations adjacent to the ends of the main leaves, the second leaf of each half being extended adjacent to the stud to reinforce the 4. In an elliptic spring, the combination of upper and lower halves composed of a main leaf and a series of superimposed leaves,'of end plates arranged between the ends of the main leaves, said plates being formed with beds above and below to receive the ends of the main leaves, with studs near their outer edges extending above and below fitting perforations adjacent to the ends of the main leaves, and with integral flanges extending above and below and on each side of each leaf, the second leaf of each half being extended adjacent to the studs to reinforce the spring. I

5. In an elliptic spring, the combination with the upper and lowerhalves, ot'end plates interposed between the ends of said halves, and formed above and below with beds to receive the ends of the main leaves, and with projections to engage with openings in said leaves.

6. In an elliptic spring, the combination with the upper and lower halves, of the main leaves thereof having substantially straight ends, end plates arranged between the ends of the leaves, and formed with bearing-beds above and below for said main leaves, and with integral, longitudinal, parallel flanges to confine the ends of said leaves, and engaging means between the end plates and the main leaves whereby they are connected.

7. As a new article of manufacture, an end plate for elliptic springs having longitudinal bearing-beds for the ends of the halves of the spring, integral, longitudinal flanges on each side of each bed, and integral studs projecting from each bed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

THOMAS ALEXANDER SHEA.

Witnesses:

O. O. SOHOENECK, E. L. DARLING. 

